Testimonials
This page is for anyone who would like to share a comment about their workshop with Jerry Monkman. Please tell others about your experience in the comments section below. Thanks!
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Photography by Jerry Monkman
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Jerry’s Photo Tip Website
AMC Guide to Outdoor Digital Photography
In the new AMC Guide to Outdoor Digital Photography, Jerry Monkman takes you through the steps you'll need to take great nature and adventure photos.
Nat and I look forward to Jerry’s classes as the highpoint of the season! Inspired by his lovely images, we relish the opportunity to go to beautiful places to shoot at optimum times. Jerry gently insists that we expand our abilities – encouraging us to use new approaches, and helping us along the learning curve. His ability to explain the technical aspects of camera and software in layman’s terms is an added bonus, making even the most inclement weather a bonus, as classroom time becomes ever more exciting and challenging. What could be more fun?
Where to start…What an absolute wonderful gentleman, photographer and fun-loving. I recently had the privilege to take a workshop in Cape Cod with Jerry and it was so wonderful. His structure of the day- his attentativeness, his knowledge, and best of all he makes learning fun. He takes the time to explain, and help when we are out shooting. Having the patience to explain and re-explain. He also made individual appointments with each of us to give us special time for our personal needs and questions. This was so helpful. I look forward to going with him to Acadia next year.
I have taken several workshops and he has been A1 in comparison.
Highly recommended and with a great affection and respect for this kind and talented man.
I took Jerry’s workshop “Winter Digital Photography in the While Mountains” last February. It was a great experience on many levels. Besides being a terrific photographer, Jerry is a great teacher. There were students in our group with various levels of digital photographic knowledge and experience. Jerry listened to our questions and answered them all thoughtfully and completely so that each of us, individually, gained as a result of his expertise. But Jerry also challenged us. He challenged us to go places, literally, we might not have chosen to go to – this was after all a Winter photography workshop, and he challenged us to go beyond our comfort zone with our photography to expand our vision of what we could do with a camera but with his support and guidance. I look forward to future workshops with him.
Someone earlier described him as a “kind and talented man”. I would totally agree. Take a workshop with Jerry if you’re looking to improve your photography with a thoughtful, patient teacher.
I recently attended Jerry’s workshop on Cape Cod. I was pretty apprehensive about it because I had never gone to one before and I wasn’t sure how I would feel about my lack of experience. Jerry put me at ease immediately. Even though I had the least experience of all the students I felt very comfortable asking any type of question. Jerry is a patient and fun teacher. He was also able to challenge even the most experienced members of our group so that everyone learned a great deal.
It was very evident that he had put a lot of time and effort in organizing the workshop. There was just the right amount of time in the field and time in the classroom for further learning and critiquing. Jerry was also very aware of all of his students physical capabilities and planned accordingly.
I would highly recommend taking one of Jerry’s workshops not only to improve your photography skills but to enjoy the great outdoors and to experience the friendships that can develop when you share your passions with like-minded people.
I have attended two workshops (so far) with Jerry. The first to Acadia in the fall of 2010, and the second to Cape Cod this year. Both trips were extraordinary. Jerry is such a good teacher that I think anyone would benefit from his instruction. Jerry makes it easy to learn-his relaxed and friendly style invite questions from (my) most basic, to the more involved advanced photographers. Our itineraries were well thought out-he took us to the right places at the right times so that our experiences would be enhanced. In both workshops, there was a good mix of outdoor shooting and classroom time. The pace was good allowing time to find our own shots with Jerry always close by for encouragement and instruction. After the workshops were over I found Jerry accessible for all sorts of questions that have come up for me-printer recommendations, a new camera, all sorts of things, and he has always offered his expertise. I couldn’t recommend him more highly to anyone considering one of his workshops. He is a gem and I’ll definitely be back for more!!!
We have attended a number of workshops with Jerry; we were at his first two back in 2003. Jerry doesn’t try to teach you how to take photos to copy his; he explains the what and why behind the photos he took so you can learn to apply the principles to your photos. All ranges of technical and artistic ability are accommodated. If necessary, Jerry will take the time up front to be sure everyone knows how to use their particular camera; it is a very low pressure environment that makes everyone feel comfortable. All of this, coupled with Jerry’s very personable manner make his photo workshops an excellent experience.
I was delighted with the fall 2011 Cape Cod workshop. A small # of participants meant we each had time with Jerry in the field. His classroom sessions were essential for me. The sessions on Lightroom and digital workflow were great, as were the individual and group critiques. My camera and I are now great friends working on the same team. Jerry helped my assorted bits of knowledge gel for me. A great experience. I also learned a lot from the other folks out on the dunes.
I’ve attended a couple of Jerry’s workshops and I find him to be well prepared,organized, personable, a patient listener and teacher. During the classroom sessions, he covers today’s popular software and generally accepted digital workflow with his good design aesthetic showing through. Out in the field he always imparts a feeling of confidence in finding remote locations and he always has a back up plan for changing skies or weather. The pace of the workshop is perfect…full use of our time yet not rushed. In field locations, he has the knack of being available yet not breathing down your neck.
Not a review, but a piece of advice for any workshop attendee would be to go over and over your camera’s owners manual and learn all the camera’s controls even if you don’t yet know when to apply them. There’s no way to sugar coat the dull, dry, hard-to-understand manual, but spend dedicated time anyway. Knowing your camera controls will allow you to concentrate more on photography and seeing and less on fumbling with your camera.
Taking a workshop with Jerry is a positive experience.Jerry is easygoing, patient, knowledgeable and knows photography. Jerry is helpful and accessible while we were on the field and in the classroom. He will take the time to explain whatever it is that you want for your photography which in our workshop included setting up individual sessions to go over whatever it is that we needed.
He will take you to the places at the right time of day so you can benefit from getting “the shot” with the right lighting. And if anyone is not feeling well Jerry will make sure that they are OK.
It was my first trip to Cape Cod and I wanted to have my photography experience there as rich and full as could be for a week. Jerry’s workshop was great. All of Jerry’s pre-planning was evident. He knew where to be and exactly when. He knew the locations, sunrises and sunsets down to the minute. And when the weather wasn’t optimal, Jerry was able to modify his plans on the spot to make the most of our time.
Jerry was also able to use the high noon time for classes for some basic photoprocessing instruction and valuable discussion about composition. I also appreciated his setting aside time to meet with each of us individually to critique some of our work. Despite a very diverse group with regard to photography experience and technical knowledge, Jerry was able to give everyone the specific attention they needed.
Beside all of that, Jerry is the most likable of people.
We have taken three workshops with Jerry; two in Maine, Stonington and Acadia and the other on Cape Cod National Sea Shore. All three were wonderful.
Jerry has an intimate knowledge of each workshop location. He scouts the workshop area to find beautiful locations and then he studies the area to learn what time of day the scene has the best light. Jerry then scheduled the workshop to make sure we were there to take full advantage of this wonderful light. He keeps his eye on the weather and always has alternative plans to fall back on in case of poor light or rain.
Jerry is a master photographer with a vast knowledge of cameras, composition and the digital darkroom. He is willing share everything he knows. He is also an Ecological Photographer who understands nature and the natural world.
Jerry’s easy manner makes everyone comfortable no matter what level of photographer you are and he is able to help you with any camera issues that may arise.
Jerry and his family are delightful people to be with and you are fortunate if you take a workshop when Marcy, Acadia and Quinn are with him.
This fall, I joined Jerry for a photo shoot in Acadia National Park. It was a great experience both from the location and most of all the attention given each of the participants. The group size was perfect (10) which allowed for plenty of personal attention. I especially appreciated Jerry’s approach for helping us push the envelope and getting us out of our comfort zone to try new approaches.
I recently attended a workshop in Cape Cod with Jerry. Not only is he a gifted and enterprising professional photographer, evident from the many books and photo credits to his name, but he also proved himself to be a patient and seemingly tireless teacher. He appears to truly love sharing both his experience as a photographer and his obvious love for the outdoors. Throughout the course Jerry was always quietly encouraging, available with suggestions and help, but never dogmatic about how things must be done. Jerry also constantly amended the workshop’s schedule to take best advantage of what the weather offered up as a challenge and balanced that off against time spent in the classroom reviewing and developing the creative tools to stretch ourselves while out in the field.
Jerry’s critiques of our work were always a gentle encouragement. He took the time to acknowledge the successes of each image and then always offered up ideas to explore which might improve or enhance that specific image and at the same time perhaps advance all of our photography creatively.
I found it a great low pressure way to spend a few days learning and practicing the art of photographic composition with the added pleasure of having the company of like-minded people to share it with. I drove down from Canada specifically to take Jerry’s workshop and was not disappointed as it proved to be a genuine joy, time well spent, and I hope to do it again soon.
I attended the May 2012 Acadia trip. Jerry did an absolutely fantastic job with the workshop. It was an excellent experience and far exceeded my expectations. The class was not only well structured but also incredibly fun. It was clear that the photo shoots were well planned and the critique sessions were very helpful. Jerry did a great job of making the class challenging while always being attentive to all types of questions.
I would highly recommend this workshop and hope to attend one again.